Wednesday, September 28, 2011

One of my favorite questions to ask a little person is, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" The answers are fairly predictable...likely I will hear the words fireman, teacher, or mommy in the response. But every now and then, a little angel will say (with blushing cheeks, batting eyes, and a slight curtsy), "I'm going to be a princess when I grow up!" I always indulge them a bit, saying something like, "Wow! I bet you'll make a great princess!" If I have time for some interesting conversation, I may even ask, "Can you tell me what a princess does?" Inevitably the response includes, "She marries a handsome prince and wears beautiful dresses and tiaras!" Now that provides some perspective!

The wedding of Kate Middleton to Prince William in the early spring was the first glimpse of "real" princess life for my daughters, and the excitement in their eyes was contagious...it dramatically increased my own interest in the big event. What girl wouldn't love a real life fairy tale?

According to dictionary.com (which happens to be a favorite app of mine), a princess is defined as "a non-reigning female member of a royal family." Royal family? I Peter 2:9 says something about royalty, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." What an amazing thought to realize that I am God's princess! Not because I feel pretty, or have a wardrobe that would dazzle a commoner, but because He has chosen me, and I have accepted! I didn't have to enter a contest, lose a hundred pounds, cover up my freckles, master an instrument, or be the perfect housewife. I am simply because of Who He is! And I so needed that today!

I'm reminded, though, that being a princess isn't all about the glamour of the position. It's about being an example. It's about really being a part of the royal family...protecting it and advancing its cause. It's about being unable to exhibit more outward beauty than what I possess inwardly . It's about spending a large part of my day doing the King's business...because, in fact, it's all about Him. It's also about choosing each moment of each day to remember that I am different, that I am held to a higher standard. People will be examining my life. Period. Would Kate say that her favorite part of being a princess is that she is watched all.the.time by people who adore her as well as people who can't wait to see her fail? Probably not, but she would also tell you that it comes with the turf. And that if she keeps proper perspective and clear communication within the royal family, she can, with confidence, overcome all of it.
My girls think it would be cool to be a princess. I can't blame them...it's a girl's dream. But to think that I get to train them to be princesses in God's royal family is just more than I can imagine! What a responsibility, and what an honor.
I've been scouring our local library and mediamobile for God-honoring materials to use as classroom supplements. I came across a book that we will hopefully acquire for our own library. Emilie Barnes is a fantastic author, and this book for little girls is a perfect fit. I would recommend it for your own little princess!

Friday, September 16, 2011

in this lovely fall weather! The boys and Greg are at the church working on an extended project, and the girls and I are taking advantage of the peace and quiet. Thank God for Fridays, candles, pjs, warm blankets, satellite radio, and (at least for this week) National Quartet Convention! Although not an event I would particularly enjoy attending, picking up bits and pieces in my living room has been kind of nice. It's also nice to be able to simply switch channels at will...some of the SG is just a little too S for me. :-)
The library mediamobile was at school the other day, and another patron was chatting with the driver while I was browsing for a few books for my kindergarten classroom. "I hate fall and everything about it," the patron said in dramatic fashion. "Me too, " the driver piped in, "I love snow, but if it's gonna snow it better shut everything down!"
I didn't feel like my opinion would be very welcome because fallis, without a doubt, my favorite time of year. I know everything is dying, there is a bite in the air, and the days seem short, but nothing spells comfort like a pot of simmering soup, the scent of burning leaves, the beauty of mums and pumpkins, and the warmth of a cozy sweatshirt.
Fall beckons each of the senses and entices them to indulge extravagantly. Go ahead...savor the season, and have a wonderfully relaxing weekend!